6.6 Interpret, correct and complete algorithms

Question 1

Give some different ways a programmer could use to find mistakes in their programs

Answer 1

Use a trace table

Alternatively IDEs

Question 2

What are trace tables

Answer 2

A programmer goes through the code, line by line, writing down the values of variables

Question 3

What are IDEs?

Answer 3

Integrated Development Environments which have the ability to set breakpoints, step through code and watch variables. This is similar to trace tables and allows the computer to do the processing.

Question 4

Why can trace tables be useful?

Answer 4

Determining the purpose of an algorithm
Finding the output of a algorithm
Finding errors in an algorithm

Question 5

What do you have to keep in mind when drawing a trace table?

Answer 5

For every variable used, draw a column in which the order they appear
You do not need to fill in a value for a variable which does not change in a particular row

Question 6

Explain what are syntax errors?

Answer 6

Doesn’t follow the rules of the language

Question 7

Explain what are logical errors?

Answer 7

The logic of the program is incorrect

Question 8

Give an example of a syntax error

Answer 8

print(“hello)

There is no final “ for the end of the string

Question 9

Give an example of a logical error

Answer 9

average = ((n1+n2)/3)

the average would need to be divided by 2 instead of 3